Protective case for portable device

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a portable device having a touchscreen constructed from a back frame, a front frame, and a stretchable cover is disclosed herein. The back frame receives the device through an open front and the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame and the device. A portion of the cover stretches over the back frame and device such that the device is securely held in the back frame. A front frame with a transparent screen protector that allows the touch screen of the device to be used while the device is fully enclosed in the case is removably coupled to the back frame with grasping protrusions that connect to mounting portions on the back frame that extend through openings in the stretchable cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/897,031, filed on Feb. 14, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/210,448, filed on Mar. 14, 2014 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,517 on Mar. 13, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/782,110, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to user removable protective cases and enclosures for mobile electronic devices.

Description of the Related Art

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and the like are known to sustain damage from impact and from contamination as a result of the ingress of water or other fluids. Such damage may result, for example, in a cracked screen, scratches on a finished surface, lost or damaged buttons or controls, cracked or bent external body components, and/or failed or malfunctioning electrical components. Protective cases can protect mobile electronic devices from such damage and other types of damage.

SUMMARY

A protective case for a portable device having a touch screen is disclosed herein. The case includes a back frame that receives the portable device, a stretchable cover that stretches over at least a portion of the back frame and the portable device when the portable device is in the back frame, and a front frame that has a transparent screen protector that mounts over a portion of the stretchable cover and the back frame such that the portable device is held between the back frame and the front frame.

The back frame has an open front and is shaped to receive the portable device. Openings are provided in the back frame for any controls or outputs of the device that are covered by the back frame. The back frame may preferably be a unitary molded piece that has a screened portion formed in a microphone opening that protects the microphone. The back frame includes a camera flap cavity with sidewalls on an exterior of the back frame that receives a hinged camera flap which removably covers and seals the camera flap cavity. The back frame also includes compression pad cavities on an interior surface of the back frame and compression pads mounted in the compression pad cavities. The compression pads ensure a tight compression fit between the case and a portable device retained therein. The back frame includes an opening that allows a user to remove the portable device from the back frame by pushing on the back of the device. Raised portions on the back frame extend through openings in the back of the stretchable cover to restrict movement of the stretchable cover with respect to the back frame.

The stretchable cover is constructed so that it can be stretched over the back frame when the device is mounted in the back frame. The cover has tabs and flaps that correspond to the control openings in the back frame and function to removably cover the controls and outputs of the device. When installed over the back frame, the stretchable cover has portions that extend over the portable device mounted in the back frame. These portions of the stretchable cover ensure that the portable device is securely held inside the back frame and stretchable cover.

The stretchable cover includes a recessed front portion that is shaped to receive the front frame when the front frame is mounted on the cover and back frame. The front frame fits in the recessed front portion and clamps over the cover and back frame such that the portable device is securely held between the back frame and the front frame and the touchscreen of the portable device is protected and usable while the device is in the case. The stretchable cover also preferably includes bumper portions around the recessed front portion that extend past a front surface of the front frame when the case is assembled and that cushion the case in the event of an impact.

The front frame is preferably coupled to the back frame with grasping protrusions that mate with corresponding mounting portions on the back frame which extend through openings in the stretchable cover. The front frame also preferably has a front frame control opening and the stretchable cover includes a button pad that extends through the control opening. The flexible button pad forms a seal with the rigid front frame control opening and allows a control on the front of the portable device to be operated when the portable device is inside the case. The front frame also preferably includes a speaker opening having a water resistant insert and a camera opening with a transparent camera cover.

The transparent screen protector may preferably be mounted on a raised portion on the back of the front frame. The stretchable cover has a corresponding front cavity shaped to receive the raised portion of the front frame and screen protector and form a debris resistant seal.

Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein, including the figures, may be combined without limitation to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or method of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures provided herewith are intended to illustrate but not to limit the invention. Like reference characters in the figures denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed case configured for a mobile phone with a mobile phone retained therein.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a mobile phone that may be retained therein.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the back frame of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a mobile phone inserted into the back frame.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the insertion of the back frame of the embodiment of FIG. 1 into the stretchable cover while a mobile phone is positioned in the back frame.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the back frame of the embodiment of FIG. 1 inserted into the stretchable cover with a mobile phone held inside.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the clamping of the front frame over the back frame and the stretchable rear cover of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a mobile phone enclosed therein.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosed case in unassembled form that is configured for a tablet computer.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in assembled form.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in assembled form.

FIG. 11 is an isometric front view of an embodiment of the disclosed case in assembled form that is configured for a touchscreen digital music player.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 in unassembled form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

A protective case for a portable device having a touch screen is disclosed herein. The case includes a back frame that receives the portable device, a stretchable cover that stretches over at least a portion of the back frame and the portable device when the portable device is in the back frame, and a front frame that has a transparent screen protector that mounts over a portion of the stretchable cover and the back frame such that the portable device is held between the back frame and the front frame.

The back frame has an open front and is shaped to receive the portable device. Openings are provided in the back frame for any controls or outputs of the device that are covered by the back frame. The back frame may preferably be a unitary molded piece that has a screened portion formed in a microphone opening that protects the microphone. The back frame includes a camera flap cavity with sidewalls on an exterior of the back frame that receives a hinged camera flap which removably covers and seals the camera flap cavity. The back frame also includes compression pad cavities on an interior surface of the back frame and compression pads mounted in the compression pad cavities. The compression pads ensure a tight compression fit between the case and a portable device retained therein. The back frame includes an opening that allows a user to remove the portable device from the back frame by pushing on the back of the device. Raised portions on the back frame extend through openings in the back of the stretchable cover to restrict movement of the stretchable cover with respect to the back frame.

The stretchable cover is constructed so that it can be stretched over the back frame when the device is mounted in the back frame. The cover has tabs and flaps that correspond to the control openings in the back frame and function to removably cover the controls and outputs of the device. When installed over the back frame, the stretchable cover has portions that extend over the portable device mounted in the back frame. These portions of the stretchable cover ensure that the portable device is securely held inside the back frame and stretchable cover.

The stretchable cover includes a recessed front portion that is shaped to receive the front frame when the front frame is mounted on the cover and back frame. The front frame fits in the recessed front portion and clamps over the cover and back frame such that the portable device is securely held between the back frame and the front frame and the touchscreen of the portable device is protected and usable while the device is in the case. The stretchable cover also preferably includes bumper portions around the recessed front portion that extend past a front surface of the front frame when the case is assembled and that cushion the case in the event of an impact.

The front frame is preferably coupled to the back frame with grasping protrusions that mate with corresponding mounting portions on the back frame which extend through openings in the stretchable cover. The front frame also preferably has a front frame control opening and the stretchable cover includes a button pad that extends through the control opening. The flexible button pad forms a seal with the rigid front frame control opening and allows a control on the front of the portable device to be operated when the portable device is inside the case. The front frame also preferably includes a speaker opening having a water resistant insert and a camera opening with a transparent camera cover.

The transparent screen protector may preferably be mounted on a raised portion on the back of the front frame. The stretchable cover has a corresponding front cavity shaped to receive the raised portion of the front frame and screen protector and form a debris resistant seal.

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosed case 2 in assembled form that is configured for a mobile phone 4. FIG. 2 is a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 1 from its components parts.

The protective device case 2 is preferably constructed from three basic components: a rear stretchable silicone rubber cover 6, a rigid plastic back frame 10, and a rigid plastic front frame 12. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7 also has a camera cover 8 to accommodate a digital camera on the back of the enclosed mobile phone 4. To assemble the case 2, the camera cover 8 is inserted into a shaped camera flap opening 16 in the rigid rear frame 10. The mobile phone 4 is then inserted into the back frame 10 as shown in FIG. 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the rigid back frame 10 with the mobile phone 4 inserted inside is further inserted into the stretchable silicone rubber cover 6 which stretches over the rear frame 10 such that the mobile phone 4 is firmly held inside the rear frame 10 and a unitary assembly 14 is formed as shown in FIG. 6. Finally, the front frame 12 is clamped over the rear frame and stretchable cover assembly 14 with the mobile phone inside as shown in FIG. 7 such that the phone is firmly and securely held inside the completely assembled case 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, the front frame 12 is coupled to the rear frame 10 by six grasping protrusions 18 that extend from the sides of the front frame 12. The front frame 12 is preferably constructed from a unitary, rigid plastic frame 22 with a transparent screen protector 20 bonded to the frame. The screen protector 20 is mounted on a slightly raised portion 24 on the back of the front frame 12. The raised portion 24 on the back of the front frame 12 tightly fits into a corresponding front opening 26 in the stretchable cover 6 such that a debris and moisture resistant seal is created between the stretchable cover 6 and the front frame 12. The screen protector 20 is preferably bonded to the front frame 12 around its entire periphery such that a water tight seal is formed between the protector and the front frame. A protective speaker cover 28 that allows sound to pass relatively unobstructed is mounted in an opening 30 in the front frame 12 and screen protector 20 to allow a user to hear sound from the mobile phone's microphone while the mobile phone 4 is in the case. An opening 32 in the front frame 12 with a transparent cover is also provided for a camera on the front of the mobile phone 4. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the precise location and configuration of the speaker, control and camera openings will vary based upon the type of device that the case is designed to enclose.

As best shown in FIG. 3, an opening 34 in the front frame 12 is provided for a control button 42 on the front of the mobile phone 4. The stretchable silicone cover 6 includes a button pad 40 that fits through the opening 34 in the front frame 12. The button pad 40 protects the control button 42 on the front of the phone while allowing it to be used when the phone is enclosed within the case. In addition, the compression fit between the front frame 12 and the back frame 10 creates a protective, debris-resistant seal between the relatively rigid button opening 34 and the flexible button pad 40.

The front frame 12 preferably has six grasping protrusions 18 that engage six mating portions 19 on the back frame 10. The protrusions 18 preferably have a snap fit that firmly secures the front frame 12 to the mating portions 19 of the back frame 10 but may be easily removed by a user engaging the protrusions with a fingernail. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, this is accomplished with a ridge on the inner surface of the protrusions 18 that engages the mating portions 19 on the back frame 10.

The back frame 10 includes a variety of openings for the controls of the mobile phone 4. These openings include an opening 16 for the camera on the back of the mobile phone 4 and an opening 41 for the camera flap hinge, the power switch 31, the input/output connector 35, two bottom microphones 37, up/down volume buttons 39, the headphone jack 43, and the ringer on/off 33. The openings in the rigid back frame 10 that have corresponding plugs 47 or flap covers in the stretchable cover 6 preferably have raised walls 45 surrounding sections of their perimeters that form cavities that receive the corresponding plugs 47 on the stretchable cover 6 to form removable or rotatable covers over the openings that increase their moisture and debris resistance while allowing access to the phone controls underneath. Pads 49 are provided on the interior and exterior of the stretchable cover 6 to assist with activating the control buttons through the stretchable cover. Finger grips 55 are provided on the flaps 47 to assist in their opening.

The back frame 10 includes openings 51 on the back that receive raised portions 53 on the stretchable cover 6. The openings 51 interact with the raised portions 53 to minimize movement of the stretchable cover 6 with respect to the back frame 10. In addition, the openings 51 assist in removing the mobile phone 4 from the back frame 10 when disassembling the case 2. A user can simply insert a finger into the openings 51 to apply pressure to the back of the mobile phone 4 which causes the mobile phone to be separated from the back frame 10, which is preferably precisely sized to form a relatively tight fit with the phone.

Compressible pads are positioned in shaped cavities 15 formed in the back frame 10 when the case is manufactured. The compressible pads ensure that a mobile phone is firmly held in the case by compression when the mobile phone is inserted into the back frame and apply pressure to the back of the phone which holds it firmly in place. The compressible pads 100 are best shown with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 8.

The back frame 10 also includes a mounting opening or cavity 16 that receives the camera flap 8. The camera flap 8 protects a digital camera positioned on the back of the mobile phone 4. The mounting cavity 16 includes a mounting hole 17 that is used to pivotally mount the hinged camera flap 8 so that it may be removed or rotated away from and over the back camera of the mobile phone 4.

Features such as ridges 61 that mate with corresponding cavities on the stretchable cover 6 are provided on the corner of the back frame 10 to further restrict movement of the back frame with respect to the stretchable cover.

The stretchable cover 6 is pulled over the back frame 10 with the mobile phone 4 inserted such that the mobile phone is held in place by the stretchable cover. The stretchable cover 6 has a sunken or recessed front portion 63 that corresponds to the shape of the front frame 12. The sunken front portion 63 of the stretchable cover 6 is surrounded by raised ridges that form bumpers 65 that protect the relatively rigid front frame 12 and cushion the case 2 if it is dropped. The interior of the stretchable cover 6 includes depressions 73 and raised portions 71 that correspond to depressions and raised portions on the back of the back frame 10 such that the stretchable cover grips and is fixed with respect to the rigid back frame. Channels on the underside of the stretchable cover 6 surrounding the front perimeter of the back frame 10 mate with corresponding raised extensions 23 on the front perimeter of the back frame 10 to secure the back frame with respect to the cover.

The stretchable cover includes a button pad 40 that fits through the opening 34 in the front frame 12. The button pad 40 protects the control button 42 on the front of the mobile phone while allowing it to be used when the mobile phone is enclosed within the case 2. In addition, the compression fit between the front frame 12 and the back frame 10 creates a water resistant seal between the button opening 34 and the button pad 40.

The stretchable cover also has six openings 91, two on each side and one each on the top and bottom, that correspond to the grasping protrusions 18 on the front frame 12 and through which the mounting portions 19 on the back frame 10 extend.

Portions 81 of the stretchable cover 6 extend over the back frame 10 and the front of the mobile phone 4 when the mobile phone is mounted in the back frame and the stretchable cover is stretched over the mobile phone and back frame. These portions 81 hold the mobile phone in the back frame 10 and stretchable cover 6 when the front frame 12 is removed. This configuration allows the touch screen of the phone to be cleaned and accessed without fully disassembling the case or removing the phone. Depressions, channels, grooves, or similar features 77 are provided on the portions of the stretchable cover that extend over the mobile phone. These features 77 mate with corresponding features on the underside of the front frame 12 to further secure the front frame to the stretchable cover 6.

Raised shapes 93 formed on the back of the back frame 10 extend through openings 95 in the stretchable cover 6. As well as adding to the visual appearance of the case, these features 93 and 95 help prevent the stretchable cover 6 from moving with respect to back frame 10. The stretchable cover 6 also includes raised portions 65 that extend beyond the back frame 10 to cushion the case in the event it is dropped. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the raised shapes 93 may be octagons.

FIG. 8, shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosed case in unassembled form that is configured for a tablet computer 78. FIG. 9 is an illustration of a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in assembled form, and FIG. 10 is an illustration of a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 9. These figures demonstrate how the concepts of the disclosed case may be adapted for a variety of different types of devices. The case includes a front frame 72, back frame 74, and stretchable cover 76 which enclose the tablet computer 78. The touch screen 80 is shown in FIG. 8 prior to being bonded to the raised portion on the back of the front frame 72 as discussed above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The case has a hinged camera cover 90 that allows unobstructed access to the camera of the tablet 78 though an opening 84 in the back frame 74 while retaining the protective properties of the case. The tablet computer embodiment of the case shown in FIG. 7 also uses a hinged cover 82 for the larger speaker of the tablet computer 78 which is accessed through a screen 86 formed in the plastic of the single piece back frame 74.

Compressible pads 100 are positioned in trapezoidal cavities 102 formed in the back frame 74. The compressible pads 100 ensure that the tablet computer 78 fits securely in the case without moving by applying a constant pressure to a device installed in the case. The stretchable cover 76 also has a honeycomb structure of cavities 88 formed in its back section which increases the cushioning effect of the silicone rubber.

FIG. 11 is an isometric front view of an embodiment of the disclosed case in assembled form for a touchscreen digital music player. FIG. 11 further illustrates how aspects of the disclosed case such as the front frame camera opening 110, cover bumpers 112, front frame button opening and cover 114, and control covers 116 may be reconfigured to accommodate almost any particular device.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 which illustrates the three main components of an unassembled device case for a touchscreen digital music player. The components include a back frame 124 that receives the digital music player 130, a stretchable cover 126 that stretches over the back frame 124 and digital music player 130, and a front frame 120 that clamps over the player, back frame, and cover. A hinged camera flap 128 that is mounted in the back frame 124 is also provided.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention disclosed herein. Although the various inventive aspects are disclosed in the context of certain illustrated embodiments, implementations, and examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of various inventive aspects have been shown and described in detail, other modifications that are within their scope will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based upon reviewing this disclosure. It should be also understood that the scope of this disclosure includes the various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, such that the various features, modes of implementation, and aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be combined with or substituted for one another. The generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Similarly, the disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intent that any claim set forth below requires more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects may reside in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein, including the figures, may be combined without limitation to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or method of use.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective case for a portable device, the protective case comprising: a back frame having one or more mounting portions; a stretchable cover having a button pad and configured to stretch over at least a portion of the back frame; and a front frame having an opening and one or more grasping protrusions; wherein the front frame is configured to clamp over a portion of the stretchable cover and the back frame, wherein when the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame and the front frame is clamped over the stretchable cover, the button pad of the stretchable cover fits in the opening of the front frame, wherein at least one grasping protrusion mates with the corresponding mounting portion, and wherein the one or more grasping protusions do not extend beyond the dimensions of the back frame when the front frame is clamped over a portion of the stretchable cover and the back frame.
 2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the stretchable cover further comprises a mounting opening and the mounting portion on the back frame extends through the mounting opening.
 3. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back frame further comprises raised shapes formed on the back of the back frame and extending through openings in the stretchable cover, wherein the raised shapes are octagons.
 4. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back frame further comprises a cavity on an interior surface of the back frame and a compressible pad mounted in the cavity, wherein when a portable device is inserted into the back frame, the compressible pad applies pressure to the back of the portable device.
 5. The protective case of claim 4, wherein the back frame further comprises a device opening that allows a user to remove the portable device from the back frame.
 6. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the stretchable cover extends over a portable device when the portable device is mounted in the back frame and the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame such that the portable device is held inside the back frame and stretchable cover.
 7. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back frame further comprises raised portions that extend through openings in a back of the stretchable cover that restrict movement of the stretchable cover with respect to the back frame.
 8. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back frame further comprises a screen formed in a microphone opening in the back frame.
 9. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the front frame further comprises a speaker opening for a speaker, wherein the speaker opening has a water resistant insert.
 10. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back frame is shaped to receive a portable device.
 11. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the stretchable cover is configured to stretch over at least a portion of the back frame and the portable device when the portable device is mounted in the back frame.
 12. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the front frame further comprises a transparent screen protector.
 13. The protective case of claim 12, wherein the front frame further comprises a raised portion, and wherein the transparent screen protector is mounted on the raised portion.
 14. The protective case of claim 13, wherein the stretchable cover further comprises a front cavity shaped to receive the raised portion of the front frame to form a water resistant seal.
 15. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the stretchable cover further comprises bumper portions that extend past a front surface of the front frame when the front frame is coupled to the back frame.
 16. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the stretchable cover further comprises a recessed sunken front portion that is shaped to receive the front frame when the front frame is mounted on the back frame. 